The Keepers of the Feather

Hook

Vidic revealed that he belongs to a Mist-traveling order of wereravens headquartered in Vallaki and watching the Darklords across the Domains of Dread.

Evidence

  • Vidic has appeared as a raven, a winged humanoid hybrid, and a black-haired human man.
  • The Keepers use crows and ravens as observers.
  • They travel between domains through the Mists.
  • They witnessed Azalin’s attempted transformation fail.
  • Vidic distinguished the Keepers from the King’s Ravens associated with Azalin.
  • Vidic was shocked to encounter Erasmus outside Richten House.
  • Ignatius proposed a future meeting with Vidic at Richten House.
  • Vidic holds the rank of Holder of the Feather.
  • All three adventurers swore an oath to fight evil and support the Keepers.
  • The party became Talons, learned the order’s recognition signs, and received raven-commanding feathers.
  • Vidic gave them a Mist talisman capable of leading them to Barovia.
  • The feathers cannot command the King’s Ravens.
  • Vidic named Two Hundred Summers as his direct superior and the leader of the Keepers in Barovia.
  • He accepted intelligence concerning Castle Avernus and the Kargatane scarecrow network.
  • He rewarded Carver with a Veteran’s Cane and taught the party a Corvid farewell.

Open questions

  • What did the Keepers witness during Azalin’s failed transformation?
  • How extensive is their network beyond Barovia?
  • Which of the birds that watched the party were Vidic, other Keepers, or King’s Ravens?
  • What does the order know about Erasmus and Van Richten?
  • What duties and authority come with the rank of Talon?
  • Who are the hundreds of other Talons Vidic referenced, and what authority does Two Hundred Summers exercise over them?

Next steps

  • Learn the Keepers’ hierarchy, duties, and network.
  • Ask how the Keepers distinguish their birds from the King’s Ravens.
  • Learn what occurred during Azalin’s transformation.